Al Wermer enters his 13th season as the head men's tennis coach at the University of Toledo. Wermer's dedication to recruiting and training of student-athletes makes him one of the most respected coaches in the Midwest. Wermer has continued to usher in student-athletes that will help Toledo to the top of the Mid-American Conference.

Wermer is the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Division I Midwest Men's Regional Chairman. He has two tennis instructional videos: "Fearless and Focused! Doubles Drills" and "Get Better Today! Singles Drills" available at www.championshipproductions.com. He also served as Tournament Director of The Division I 2005-07 ITA National Indoors, hosted at Ohio State. Wermer is a founding board member of MATTA, a USTA/Toledo Community Tennis Association, initiating new campus/community tennis programs. He was named 2006 USPTA Coach of the Year and also received the ITA Midwest Award for Community Service.

While at Toledo, Wermer has enhanced recruiting, scheduling, facilities, community involvement and developed UT into one of the most comprehensive and consistent mid-major programs in the Midwest.

"It's very exciting for us here now," said Wermer. "Our recent upgrades to the program include a full complement of scholarships, a better budget, assistant coach position and renovations to our outdoor tennis facility."

A graduate of Capital University with a degree in physical education, Wermer also began his collegiate coaching career with the Crusaders in 1992. In 2004, he received his masters of arts degree from UT in recreation and leisure studies.

Wermer is a former USPTA Midwest Board Member and club coach in Columbus, OH and has coached many individuals who have attained regional and national rankings. Before entering coaching, he played a season on the professional circuit.

Wermer possesses over 24 years of coaching experience, including 12 at the collegiate level. He has produced over 100 articles on tennis, coaching and instruction, and has spoken at numerous national and regional tennis coaches' conventions, most recently at the 2007 ITA national convention. He has coached at various USTA national and regional tennis programs, the Junior Davis Cup, USTA zonals and area training centers.

Wermer has been married to former Nancy Cary for 13 years. In his free time, he enjoys jogging, biking and traveling.

Telephone: (419) 530-4925
Email: al.wermer@utoledo.edu

Graduate Assistant: Joao Pinho
Alma Mater: Utah State
Hometown: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Joao Pinho enters his first year as the graduate assistant coach for the men’s tennis team at the University of Toledo. His main responsibilities include assisting with practices, recruiting, and all the managerial aspects involved with administering a successful Division I program.

Pinho played four years of Division I collegiate tennis, having a 26-31 singles record and a 22-27 doubles record in two seasons at Utah State University. Prior to that, Pinho played two seasons at Austin Peay State University, in TN. During his career, Pinho earned multiple honors including: 2005 All-Conference Big West Second Team Singles, 2005 All-Conference Big West Second Team Doubles, and 2006 Academic All-Conference Western Athletic Conference. Pinho was also named Most Improved Player in 2004, Most Valuable Player in 2005, and Team Captain in 2006. He also received the Whitesides Scholar-Athlete Award in 2005 and was on the College of Business Dean’s List in 2006. Pinho played in the No. 1 spot in singles and doubles throughout most of his career, and won against nationally ranked players in singles.

A graduate from Utah State University, with a dual bachelor’s degree in marketing and human resource management, Pinho served as an undergraduate assistant coach for the Aggies men’s and women’s tennis teams during the 2006-07 season.

Prior to college, Pinho played professional tournaments in Brazil, and had a vast experience as a junior player. Pinho was coached by world-known Coach Carlos Kirmayr, who is a former coach of several professional tennis stars.

"I am very pleased with the opportunity to work with Coach Wermer. I am looking forward to help our players succeed both on and off the court by sharing some of my experience."

A native from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Pinho is working on his master’s degree in business administration, while majoring in marketing and international business. He is the son of Armando and Ana Maria Pinho and has one sister, named Carla. During his free time, he enjoys listening to music, and watching his favorite soccer team, Vasco da Gama.